Roy Jones and Hopkins go at it

Just to point things out...when Jones offered a 60/40 split to Hopkins in 2001, I believe, Jones had been at the top of his game for a good 7 years and he was the P4P #1 fighter in the world.

On the other hand, Hopkins had fought the entire time with very little acknowledgement from anyone except the hard core boxing fans. Only the Trinidad fight made Hopkins at that point, already being a 36 year old boxer.

It did make sense for Jones to ask 60/40 at that point as he already had a win over Bernard and was the P4P #1 boxer !

Now.....if Bernard just wants to add to his legacy, I would rather see him try to beat a Chad Dawson or Adamek ! But if Bernard just wants to make the most money possible + avenge a loss that I'm sure still bothers his huge EGO, then he would take the 60 to the winner offer, given that he is confident of beating Jones of course....

The thing is, although it remains speculation, I feel that Hopkins has doubts that he can really beat Jones, and he knows a loss to Jones would hurt his record, especially a Roy Jones that most consider ''SHOT'' !

To me, that's a big reason that makes Hopkins hesitate, because he knows anyways that the Jones ego will not allow a 60/40 split for Hopkins, therefore the fight doesn't have to happen.....

 

I am a big Hopkins fan, and obviously this man "fears" no one, but I also get the sense he's not 100% confident he beats Roy. Roy is probably one of the few guys (like Calzaghe) that he's not going to mentally intimidate before the fight, and the matchup of styles doesn't favor him either.

They don't NEED to fight each other, and no one in their right mind is going to accuse Hopkins at this point of being "scared", but the fans are speaking on this one. For better or for worse, people STILL want to see this rematch, and Hopkins isn't really convincing them otherwise.

 

This is the bottom line. Roy is not the least bit intimidated by Hop. None.


Both of these guys are two of my favorite fighters. And in all honesty, I think they are close to being each other's favorite fighters.


This is the biggest fight that can be made right now for either of these guys. And aside from Oscar-Pac, this would be the biggest fight this year if you factor in casual know-nothing fans.

 

I don't believe he was ever asked ?

Bernard was firm on 50/50.

There's little doubt who holds the lions share of the blame for the rematch not happening.

Besides, do you really believe Bernard would have had a serious chance anytime before 2003 ?

Sure, he improved after losing to Jones, but Jones improved far more.

 

Yeah, they've come a ways from "60/ 40 and I'll kick yo ass". There was definitely some respect coming from both sides in those radio clips.

 

There's a bit of a gap in the logic here.

Bernard has stated publicly that at this point it's about the money. His legacy is in good shape.

He's clearly not overly worried about getting credit for the win, otherwise he would flatly turn down the fight, rather than saying ' Make it 60-40 and we can get it on before year end.'

Even if he lost, 40 % of this purse, promoted by HBO/GBP, would still be bigger than any possible fight he could get,

And regarding this...

"Do you think Jones would have accepted this deal when he was on top? Hopkins is just turning the tables on Roy here I think."

...You're overlooking the fact that Roy has the W and Bernard the L from their only meeting. And that's how history will record the matter.


Bernard can make that 1-1.

It's a no-brainer, IF he's confident of the win.








Final (minor) point re credit: Bernard picked Jones over Calzaghe. If he gives Joe no credit for the win, tthen he hurts his credibility

 

I wouldn't mind seeing this for old times sake. **** it why not?

 

That's the spirit. :thumbsup

We need to keep beating the drums.

 

**** the drums.

They're both Americans.


Couldn't the US congress pass a law mandating that this fight take place ?


The bill would get bi-partisan support in the congress and would give them boys a nice break from rattling on about healthcare.

(Considerin' what they've spent on the bail-outs, they could even sweeten the pot a little.)

 

This is the fight that should happen!!! Then they need 2 retire win or lose.

 

It's a never ending saga..........
They'll probably be bitching about the same kind of **** in their old age homes...

Jones : Winner gets the hot nurse to help clean his saggin' ass 60 % of the time...

Hopkins : I want a guarantee that ***** is mine 60% of the time....

Jones: Winner has her all the time......

Hopkins: zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...Just fell asleep for the 10th time of the day.....

 

Did Calvin Murphy voice his own opinion on the matter ?